SMU Department of Psychology

 

 

MAJOR & MINOR REQUIREMENTS

PSI CHI

ACADEMIC ADVISING

CAREER ADVISING

COURSE OFFERINGS

SUBJECT POOL INFORMATION

RESEARCH ASSISTANT OPPORTUNITIES


 



Most careers in the field of Psychology require some form of advanced training beyond the BA degree. As an undergraduate major, there are a number of things that you can do now to improve your chances of gaining admission to the graduate school of your choice.

Begin preparing yourself for admission to graduate school early as an undergraduate (e.g., by the end of your Sophomore year). In addition, talk with your professors, especially those who are tenured or tenure-track faculty members in psychology. It is best to consult with several individuals because there are many different ideas about how best to proceed.

Research Experience
Perhaps the most important extra-curricular activity for graduate school admission is working on a research project under the supervision of a faculty member in the Psychology Department. Working with several faculty members will help you gain broader experience and facilitate your decision concerning a possible area for graduate work. If you are interested in such an opportunity, we encourage you to consult the SMU Psychology Faculty pages.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Many graduate programs consider the Graduate Record Exam as part of the admissions process. It is important to prepare for this exam and do as well as possible. We recommend that you take this exam well before October of your senior year, so your GRE scores can be included in your application materials. Deadlines for graduate admissions will range from late November through March. When reviewing graduate school materials, verify application deadlines and work backwards to form a calendar for yourself.

Career Guides
There are numerous career opportunities available to Psychology Majors. Many of these can be examined at the web links listed below.

Association for Psychological Science

American Psychological Association

Psi Chi


APA Guide to Careers

US Department of Labor


Career Tips

Marky Lloyd's Career in Psychology Page


Psychology Career Center

The Pursuing Psychology Career Page

Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology


Human Factors and Ergonomics Society


Society for Personality and Social Psychology


Social Psychology Network


Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues


Positive Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Adult Development and Aging

European Society for Cognitive Psychology

Society of Clinical Psychology


Society of Counseling Psychology


Health Psychology Division


American Board of Forensic Psychology

back to top

 
 

 

 
 

Copyright © 2008 SMU Department of Psychology | Site Design by leftwave designs, LLC
“Walking to the Sky” sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky on display at the Nasher Sculpture Center
News/Events | People | Research | Graduate | Undergraduate | Diversity | Jobs | SMU/Dallas | Contact